Hunter X Hunter is one of those series that can get extremely grim and dark at the flip of a switch, but one overlooked detail shows the true depths of despair that the world of Hunters can reach. The Phantom Troupe, also known as the Spiders, are an extremely dangerous and powerful band of thieves that cause chaos everywhere they go.

Hailing from Meteor City, the entire group first made their appearance in the Yorknew City Arc, when they raided the auction for all the valuables.

This arc was also when they were attacked by Kurapika, the sole survivor of the Kurta Clan.

Kurapika’s Connection To the Phantom Troupe Drives a Major Plot Point

Original series created by Yoshihiro Togashi; anime adaptation produced by Madhouse

It is a known fact that Kurapika harbors incredible hatred for the Spiders that massacred his clan. However, the genocide of the clan was much more gruesome than people think. Because their eyes can turn scarlet, they were targeted by the underground world for their unique and beautiful eyes. Led by Chrollo, the Phantom Troupe assaulted them and killed all 128 members of Kurapika’s clan. However, simply killing them was a much better fate than what they went through. A Kurta’s eye can only turn scarlet when they are angry, and to get the 37 pure-blood members to awaken their eyes, the Spiders torture the other members in front of them. They then took their eyes and killed everyone else, whether it be the elderly or young, none were spared.

The cherry on top was the fact that the Troupe left a message at the scene of the crime that read “We reject no one, so take nothing from us.” This stunt made it seem like they were proud of the fact, and wanted to take responsibility. This horrendous event undoes all the empathy fans felt for them during the Yorknew Arc, and when their tragic pasts were revealed.

Hunter X Hunter Examines The Hunter Association

The Organization Is Just As Twisted As It Is Helpful

The Hunter Association is interesting and quite different from other animes’ depictions of authority. Under the leadership of Chairman Netero, the association’s number one priority was strength, and being strong was the only thing that was needed to be a hunter. This backfired on several occasions, as more sinister individuals such as Hisoka and Shalnark acquired the license, and the latter used his position to acquire sensitive information and use it to aid in terrorism.

The Election arc further explained the intricacies of the organization, and how the people at the top were not good at all, most notably Pariston Hill. Although the organization’s role was extremely important, and it affected thousands of lives, but Pariston treated the elections like a game and bending democracy to his will reflects the leadership that allowed such people to hold such positions. There was also a lot of corruption and the fact that the Hunter Association was commanded by even worse government leaders made them even more corrupt.

However, despite all their shortcomings, the Hunter Association did a lot of good. They were always called upon to assist when regular humans could not handle a problem, and they managed a profession that constantly made historical achievements. From teaching Nen to saving the human race, the Hunter Association is portrayed as a corrupted organization that have performed a number of heroics.

The Chimera Ants Were Very Complex

The Chimera Ant arc is one of the greatest story arcs in shonen manga & anime

The Chimera Ants exhibited a wide range of behaviors, with some killing humans for pleasure, while others were driven by a need to survive or a desire to reconnect with their previous lives. This variance in conduct stemmed from the fact that the Chimera Ants adopted the personalities of their former human selves.

Meruem is also another fascinating case, as he is as grey as it gets. Born to rule the world, his ego was sky-high, and he treated anyone weaker than him as trash. However, the one person he came to care for was the weakest of all: a young, blind girl with no one who loved her. Even when he was attacked, his only concern was the safety of Komugi, and he even went so far as to beg, so he could spend his final moments with her. How was an almighty creature that killed thousands so beloved? Because Hunter X Hunter shows both the bad and good for even the most irredeemable characters, it is almost impossible to label one as good or evil.

Gon Defied The Sweetheart MC Trope In Shonen Anime

A Morally Gray Lead That Acts Based Off His Emotions

Gon is an extremely bubbly and kind boy, but there is more to that bright smile. Even Zephille, the appraiser who helped Gon and Killua in the Yorknew Arc, realizes that Gon doesn’t see the world in black and white; he will ignore immoral acts if they interest him enough. The Chimera Ant arc was when fans saw who he really was: a boy whose dark side could easily take over. When he saw Pitou healing Komugi, he threatened to kill the injured girl, so he could fight Pitou, but changed his mind after the ant pleaded with him. Even then, he refused to give her enough time to fully heal her.

This is one reason that Hunter X Hunter is beloved and complex, as it challenges the viewers and readers to see beyond just good and bad and realize that people simply can’t be labeled as one or the other. Everyone was subject to further examination, and their actions and circumstances were on full display so that fans could empathize with their situation while acknowledging the depravity of their actions.

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